Hartmut Fricke

TUD Dresden University of Technology, a University of Excellence, invites applications for a PhD position within the Research Training Group "AirMetro – Technological & Operational Integration of Highly Automated Air Transport in Urban Areas" (RTG 2947), funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG). This interdisciplinary program brings together five faculties and the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) to address the technical and social challenges of Innovative Air Mobility (IAM) in urban environments, considering ecological, economic, technological, and sociological factors. The advertised PhD project, supervised by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Hartmut Fricke (Chair of Air Transport Technology and Logistics), focuses on the Optimization of Innovative Air Mobility Networks . The research aims to develop integrated and adaptive network design methods for urban air mobility, jointly considering infrastructure placement, vehicle performance, flight planning, and scheduling under uncertainty. The project will build on demand-optimized network models and employ multi-objective optimization strategies to assess robustness against environmental and demand fluctuations, supporting the development of strategically viable and long-lived IAM network infrastructures. Key objectives include: Developing an integrated framework for IAM network operations and design, considering infrastructure, fleet characteristics, and scheduling under evolving conditions. Extending demand-based network optimization models to incorporate vehicle performance sensitivities and environmental influences. Applying multi-criteria optimization methods to balance coverage, efficiency, robustness, and operational cost. Evaluating the robustness of IAM network concepts against demand and environmental fluctuations. As a PhD student, you will conduct independent and collaborative research, participate in lectures, workshops, and summer schools, and contribute to the RTG’s internal exchange platforms. You will also support scientific graduation work in the research field, regularly report progress, and publish research results. The program offers a highly collaborative, interdisciplinary environment with international mentors and a paid three-month research stay abroad. Eligibility: Applicants should hold a good or very good university degree in aviation, transportation and logistics, computer science, or a related field, with knowledge in traffic planning methodologies and mathematical optimization. Strong English communication skills and a commitment to interdisciplinary research are essential. The program encourages applications from women and candidates with disabilities. Funding: The position is funded by the DFG and remunerated according to salary group E 13 TV-L. Additional benefits include access to state-of-the-art facilities, targeted training in drone technology, data analytics, regulatory aspects, project management, and leadership skills, as well as a paid research stay abroad. Application: Submit your application (cover letter, CV, transcripts, recommendation letter, and publications if applicable) by January 30, 2026, via the TUD SecureMail Portal or email to [email protected], referencing job-ID “RTG 2947-T4/2”. For further information, contact Prof. Dr.-Ing. Hartmut Fricke at [email protected]. More details on data protection and the application process are available on the university website. Join TUD Dresden University of Technology and help shape the future of urban air mobility in a pioneering research environment!